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Overview

Managing diabetes often requires taking insulin shots
throughout the day. Insulin delivery systems such as insulin pens can make
giving insulin shots much easier. If you currently use a vial and syringe to
deliver your insulin, switching to an insulin pen may make it easier to take
your insulin and increase your compliance.

About insulin pens

Insulin pens do not eliminate your need to poke yourself
with a needle. They simply make measuring and delivering your insulin easier.

Insulin pens deliver anywhere from .5 to 80 units of insulin
at a time. They can deliver insulin in increments of one-half unit, one unit,
or two units. The maximum dose and the incremental amount vary among pens. The
amount of total insulin units in the cartridges vary as well.

The pens come in two basic forms: disposable and reusable. A
disposable insulin pen contains a prefilled cartridge, and the entire pen is
thrown away when the cartridge is empty. Reusable pens allow you to replace the
insulin cartridge when it’s empty.

The insulin pen you use depends on the type of insulin you
require, the number of units you typically need per insulin shot, and the
available pens for that insulin type. The needles on insulin pens come in
different lengths and thicknesses, and most fit on all of the available insulin
pens. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider to decide which pen is best
for you.

How to store them

Similar to vials of insulin, insulin pens do not require
constant refrigeration once they’ve been opened. Insulin pens only require
refrigeration before their first use. After its initial use, simply keep your
insulin pen out of direct sunlight and in a room-temperature setting.

Insulin pens typically stay good for 7 to 28 days after the
initial use, depending on the type of insulin they contain. However, if the
expiration date printed on the pen or cartridge has passed, you should not use
the insulin.

How to use an insulin pen

Each time you use your pen:

Check the expiration
date and type of insulin (if you have more than one type of pen).

Check to make sure that
your insulin is not clumpy and that your fast-acting insulin is clear and
colorless.

Roll the pen in your
hands, and then gently tilt the pen if it is an insulin mix.

Remove the pen cap and
clean the top with sterile alcohol.

Attach the needle to the
pen. Use a new needle each time.

Prime the pen, and then
dial up the correct dose. Double-check the dose before you inject.

Remove the cap and
choose a clean site to inject. Hold the needle at a 90-degree angle,
unless you are instructed to do otherwise by your doctor.

Push the button to
inject the insulin and wait five to 10 seconds to be sure all of the insulin
has been absorbed.

Remove the needle and
dispose of it properly.

If you accidentally dial in too high of a dose, insulin pens
give you the ability to fix your mistake quickly and easily. Some pens expel
the excess insulin through the needle in such a way that it will not enter your
skin, while others have an option to reset your pen to zero units and start
over.

Potential risks

If you fail to check the condition or expiration date of
your insulin, the insulin may not work correctly. Expired insulin does not work
as well as insulin that has not expired. If the insulin has any kind of
particles in it, don’t use it. These particles may plug the needle and prevent
you from delivering a full dose.

Dialing in too high of a dose or not double-checking the
dosage may result in the delivery of too much or too little insulin. If this
occurs, monitor your glucose levels closely after the injection. Too much
insulin may cause your blood sugar levels to drop too low, and too little
insulin may cause your blood sugar to increase to dangerously high levels.